Hoven to have license reinstatement hearing

An Osceola chiropractor who engaged in lewd conduct with his patients is attempting to have his license reinstated.

Dr. Stuart Hoven, with Clarke County Chiropractic and Winterset Family Chiropractic, has applied for reinstatement of licensure from Iowa Board of Chiropractic.

A hearing is scheduled 10:30 a.m. July 9 at the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines.

According to the Iowa Board of Chiropractic, Hoven engaged in unethical conduct or practiced harmful or detrimental to the public. It was determined Hoven had improper sexual conduct with, or made suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient numerous times in 2005, 2009 and 2012.

This isn’t the first time Hoven has attempted to have his license reinstated through Iowa Board of Chiropractic.

In September 2013, the board denied reinstating Hoven’s license. The board determined Hoven isn’t allowed to file for reinstatement again until he has met all of the board’s conditions concerning the future safety and welfare of patients.

First complaint

Hoven was issued a license to practice as a chiropractor in the state of Iowa in 2001.

According to court documents, in April 2005, the board found Hoven had engaged in unethical conduct when he improperly touched the breasts of two female patients and made suggestive remarks to them.

According to the board, before Hoven’s current suspension, he was still allowed to practice but must have had a female, nonfamily member chaperon at all times when providing treatment to female patients.

Hoven was not allowed to perform any soft-tissue chiropractic treatment to female clients on or around the breast.

His license was then returned to full privileges in July 2010.

Most recent complaints

The most recent allegations arose from a complaint by a female patient who said Hoven had touched her breasts during a chiropractic visit Feb. 14, 2012.

According to the board, on May 11, 2012, another female patient reported she went to Hoven for chiropractic treatment in 2009 and claimed he “cupped her breast during one session and rubbed against her during a second.”

The woman didn’t make a complaint in 2009 because she was “embarrassed.”

However, in May 2012, the woman’s husband saw a television newscast about Hoven and a complaint was filed against him.

The board decided to suspend Hoven’s license.

Court documents further state Hoven’s current suspension meant he could not apply for reinstatement until he completed a comprehensive assessment regarding professional sexual misconduct.

It was further ordered that not until Hoven has completed the provisions of his suspension will the board consider any application for reinstatement.

The assessment took place at the Behavioral Medicine Institute (BMI) of Atlanta, Ga.

On July 10, 2013, Hoven had a licensure reinstatement hearing before Iowa Board of Chiropractic. However, in September 2013, the board determined not to reinstate Hoven’s license at that time.

July 9 hearing

In Hoven’s upcoming July 9 license hearing, Iowa Board of Chiropractic will serve as the presiding officer.

Court documents state Hoven “may appear personally and be represented by counsel at (his) own expense. (He has) the right to produce evidence on (his) behalf, cross-examine witnesses and to examine any documentary evidence introduced at hearing.”

If Hoven fails to appear at the hearing, the board may enter a default decision or proceed with the hearing and render a decision in his absence.